Dreams do come true.....

Even if it take 25 years!

These are pictures of our new house and the 3/4 acre lot that it sets on ... The camera does not do justice to its beauty.

Front of the house looking West from Ocean Blvd. and the Ocean

More pictures of the front yard....

Front yard looking out from the front door.

This is the back yard....

more pictures of the back yard looking from the road on the West side of the property

Wooded area looking back towards the house...

This is the front of the apartment and attached garage. It sets on the North side of the property... 

North side yard looking East from the Front door of the apartment.

Back yard patio looking out from the back door out acrossed the wooded area that divides the patio from the back yard..

Looking at the back side of the house and the Carolina Room (Sun Porch)

The North East corner of the property and the beach access acrossed the street...

walking towards the beach from our front yard...

this is the dunes just before the beach...  

The beach & the ocean just past the dunes....

This open spot on the beach is part of our stuff too... This is where we could keep a catamaran.

This is taken standing on the bridge at the dunes looking back towards the House.

52 Week Challenge #16 - 2010

Welcome back to the THURSDAY / 52 Week Challenge...

We (I) took the month off to May to see if there was any missed interest and I recieved a few mixed reactions. So we (I) decided that we (I) will continue to post a CHallenge on THursday for anyone that is interested to giving them a try. At anytime, if you have a great idea or come acrossed a great challenge that you would like to share.. just PM or email me for a guest host spot. We (I) would love to have everyone help and share.

Anyway... to jump start the summer and kick off my love for a new nature series (June) Here is your challenge for this week. This Month's challenges are going to be designed around "NATURAL INSPIRATION". Your challenge is to design a page or layout using your inspiration from a natural photo setting. So scrap using what you see!!! I have included a few photos and examples to help get you started. Please share with us both the inspirational photo and your pages. (bonus: would be to use your photo of nature as part of your Layout.)

My Samples....

- (I used the colors from the Red, White & Blue Jay in the photo)

- (I used the square shape & the swimming baby ducks in the photo )













You can find our inspirational nature gallery..... here



Don't forget our other great challenges in our Weekly Challenge Line Up:

• Monday - Inspiration
• Tuesday - Digital
• Wednesday - Variety
• Thursday/Monthly - Goals
• Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #15 - 2010

Good Morning Everyone....!

"Reality" is starting to set in... I can't believe that it is Thursday again all ready... and that we are half way through the month... AND NEXT WEEKEND IS ANOTHER AWESOME VSBN!!!! check it out...HERE

Anyway, The "Reality" of the matter is that I have been trying to come up with some fun new layouts to scrap for the VSBN weekend. And one came to mind this week while we were watching the "Deadliest Catch" marathon, with the boys, getting ready for the 2010 season. We really enjoy this show... but I can't help wanting a CAPE COD LOBSTER ROLL every time I watch it. SO you can only imagine, after watching all week, what we have been enjoying for lunch.

My Challenge to everyone today is to use the "Reality" of the recipe  and your imagination to create a page or layout using either the colors from the Lobster Rolls, beach pictures, boating or even just plain fishing photos.

Here is my Sample: LOBSTER ROLLS...

You can find the Gallery Here.... 52 Week / Thursday Challenge

DON'T FORGET TO ADD THE KEYWORDS: 52WK201015, SBC10Apr,

-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

52 Week Challenge #14 - 2010

Good Morning Everyone!!!


IT'S TIME FOR A GAME SHOW..... A "IT's REALITY" GAME SHOW!

Our family has a new found favorite game show called "A MINUTE TO WIN IT!" hosted by GUY Fieri on Sunday & Wednesday nights. Contestants are given a randomly chosen game with a "blue print" explanation. And then the contestant is given one minute to complete the game. If they do then the contestant wins money and moves up to try again. Each time the contestant chooses to play they get a chance to work their way to a million dollars. It is great fun to watch and we have even tried some of the games at home. They are very quick, simple, but not easy to do games that will have the whole family laughing in no time.

You can check the game list out here.... http://www.nbc.com/minute-to-win-it/how-to/supercoin/


Okay... so back to Today/Yesterday's challenge... We are going to play "A Minute to Win it!" Your challenge is to work your way to a million dollar page or Layout!

Here is your Game "Blue Print"...
You have one minute to open an idea book and choose a layout or page to copy
You have one minute to choose the photos that your are going to scrap
You have one minute to choose your accents, embellishments and or bling
You have one minute to ruff sketch your layout
You have one minute to crop your photos
You have one minute to stick down the first layer of your page or layout
You have one minute to do any punching, crimping, and die-cutting
You have one minute to add and ribbon, hardware or tags
You have one minute to attach any other accents, embellishments, or Bling
You have one minute to add your journaling, words of wisdom or phrases.
You have one minute to set back, relax and enjoy your page!

CAN YOU EARN A MILLION DOLLARS?????


Here is my sample.... A Minute to Win it Pinata!

Check out the gallery.... Here

Don't forget the keywords.... 52WK201014, SBC10Apr

-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

52 Week Challenge #13 - 2010

Good Afternoon Everyone...

"It's Reality".... or is it, Really?... or is it just something that someone thinks is Reality?

Well... VSBN is for real! check it out....http://www.splitcoaststampers.com/fo...d.php?t=485928 It is real because someone or somebodies, really awesome and great, like Mary Pat, Lela & Crystal say it is!!!!

And so, after PMing back and forth with Lela, we decided that a little "Reality" kick off would be good... As most of you know I am not a big TV watcher, but I do like "Biggest Loser" and now the new show "Parenthood" It is so Reality for me...clear down to Max, little Boy with "Asperger's".

So my challenge for you today is to create a "It's Reality" page or Layout with photo's capturing "Parenthood", whether it be your own or someone close to you. Use your journaling to tell the "Parenthood" moment.

>>>> Bonus: It's Really Spring, so feel free to use Springy Colors.<<<<

Here is my sample: Parenthood - "It's Reality!"

Here is an older sample: Baby Boy!

The Gallery can be found here..52WK201013

..... Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK201013, SBC10Apr,

52 Week Challenge #12 - 2010

THANKS LELA.....!

Anavon is traveling this week so I am pitching in for the Thursday 52 Week Challenge. For March, we've had a "Family Tree" theme. I had the chance to go to a crop this weekend and I had a fun time getting some picts done from last summer. I really had to chuckle over some picts of my sons because when they're together they're always joking about "Who is #3?". They go back and forth when they're together on who falls to #3 on "Dad's list of favorites". Of course, my DH doesn't have a list of faves but the our oldest son always likes to tease the others about he is #1.

Our challenge this week is to scrap picts of your Family and document your "Family Joke". What word or phrase brings out fond memories of something that always makes you smile. Be sure to journal about what it is and how it got started!

Here's my (Lela) Sample: #3

Here is my (Anavon) Sample:

:::::::Remember you get Bonus points if you "Go Green" on your page... (choose from the following)

1. "Go Green" by using the color green.
2. "Go Green" by using up some stash.
3. "Go Green" by recycling embellishments or accents.
4. "Go Green" by using limited supplies.

..... Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK201012, SBC10Mar

52 Week Challenge #11 - 2010

Good Morning Everybody!

It's Thursday.... I hope everyone had a Happy St. Patty's day, and in staying with our "Family Tree" theme, to honor and celebrate my Irish Ancestors and heritage, our Challenge today will be a  RECIPE CHALLENGE: (Grilled Corned Beef Brisket).
So the scrapping part of the challenge today would be to branch out your Family Tree by creating a vintage or heritage page about someone in your family, using any of the Irish colors that inspire you.

:::::::Remember you get Bonus points if you "Go Green" on your page... (choose from the following)

1. "Go Green" by using the color green.
2. "Go Green" by using up some stash.
3. "Go Green" by recycling embellishments or accents.
4. "Go Green" by using limited supplies.


My inspiration came from the Green Irish color, the Brown from the Corned Beef and the White from the rich Irish potatoes...

My New Sample... Grandma Allen's Family

My Older Sample... Family Retouched

The Gallery can be found here...52WK201011

..... Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK201011, SBC10Mar,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

Happy St. Patty's Day...! - "Pots of Gold"

I just thought I would share with you all my little "Pots of Gold" that I gave to my March Hostess' in celebration of St. Patrick's day. Ask we how you can get one for free...?

Scrapbooking 101 - Class #1 (Scrapbooking Overview)

I find that when starting at square one with a lot of new and beginning scrappers that it is easier to start with a progressive page. Sometimes a big, huge empty piece of 12X12 cardstock may be a bit overwhelming. So I always start with the story "How do you eat an Elephant?" Answer: "One bite at a time!"
Then we start with a 6X6 page...
Supplies needed:  (The colors I used are in the parenthesis )

1 - 6X6 colored cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 4 1/4 X 5 1/4 colored cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 X 81/2 white cardstock
1 - 2X2 colored cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 4X5 photo
Stamp Set - "Let's Party"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise, Green Galore
Accessories: silver craft wire, label punch, deminsionals


Then we move on to the 8 1/2 X 11 page...
Supplies needed:

1- completed 6X6
1- 8 1/2 X 7 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 8 1/2 X 11 designer series paper (dsp)
1- 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Green Galore)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 white cardstock
1- 3 X 4 photo
Stamp Set - "Party Time"
Ink Pads - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: Buttons, glue dots,


Now we build our 12X12...
Supplies needed:

1 - completed 8 1/2 X 11 page
1 - 12 X 12 cardstock (Green Galore)
1 - 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1 - 2 X 6 cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1 - 1 3/4 X 5 3/4 white cardstock
1 - 2 1/4 X 3 photo
Stamp Set - "Quirky Alphabet Upper"
Ink Pad - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories: buttons, glue dots


You can easily turn your 12X12 into a Double Page Spread (DPS)...
Supplies needed:

1 - completed 12X12 (Left Side)
1- completed matching 6X6 (follow supply list above)
1- 12 X 12 cardstock  (Green Galore)
1- 4 X 11 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 3 3/4 X 10 3/4 designer series paper (dsp)
1- 3 X 6 cardstock (Tempting Turquoise)
1- 2 3/4 X 5 3/4 white cardstock
1- 3 1/4 X 4 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Yo-Yo Yellow)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 white cardstock or can replace with photo
1- 2 1/2 X 3 1/4 cardstock (Green Galore)
1- 2 1/4 X 3 photo
1- 3 X 4 photo
Stamp Set -  "Journaling Lines"
Ink Pad - Tempting Turquoise
Accessories - Buttons, glue dots

52 Week Challenge #10 - 2010

Good Morning Everyone....

It's Thursday.... Time for another look at where we are in our 52 Weeks of 2010! This month our challenges have been and will continue to be about "Going Green" and recycling old memories and planting a tree, "A FAMILY TREE". Last week I challenged you all to start with you. We were challenged to plant that memory seed by finding inspiration in ourselves. Now that the seed has been planted and sprouted, it is time to prune and add to those branches with today's challenge entitled...

Scrapping BRANCHES...

SO your challenge today is to add a page or LO about your parents. Scrap photos that tell a funny story or a recycled treasured memory. I also thought it would be fun to REUSE a Sketch Challenge... So for this challenge please use the sketch..... SBSC03

:::::::Remember you get Bonus points if you "Go Green" on your page... (choose from the following)

1. "Go Green" by using the color green.
2. "Go Green" by using up some stash.
3. "Go Green" by recycling embellishments or accents.
4. "Go Green" by using limited supplies.

Here is my sample... Happy Birthday MOM!

Here is my older sample.... Tribute to my Dad!


The Gallery can be found here...52WK201010

..... Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK201010, SBC10Mar,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

Monday's Inspiration...

Good Morning Everyone...

I feel so honored Today to be your guest host. Jenn is still feeling a little under the weather and asked me a couple of days ago to fill in. And as I started to think about her 2010 - "THAT'S LIFE" theme that she challenges us with on the second Mondays of the month. ( In which she said was..."Inspired by "That's Life" by Nic Howard, scrapbook artist and Memory Makers Master; I will challenge you to tune into the details that make up your days and scrapbook them. It's all about finding inspiration in the everyday and creating pages we wouldn't normally think to create".) I started to think about how much joy it brings me to share with all of you some of my ideas, in both my crafting and scrapbooking. So I decided that in staying with Jenn's theme that today we should scrap some of those things that....

BRING US "JOY" WHEN SHARED WITH OTHERS

So... your challenge is to dig out or take some photos of those things that bring you "Joy" when you share them with some one else. I would also like to challenge you to find inspiration from all the goodies you have in your stash, try to recycle or reuse for this Layout to stay with the "Going Green" theme. If you still need some more inspiration, please feel free to check out all the awesome layouts on Nic Howard's Blog.  I used her LO entitled "My Tribe"as my starting inspiration today.


Here is my sample.... SHARING JOY!

And you can enjoy the gallery for today's challenge..... HERE!

Challenge KEYWORD is IFC69
Goal Challenge KEYWORD is SBC10Mar

-----------------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #9 - 2010

Good Morning Friends..

"March Madness"... I would like to share with you why I like March! I love March for many reasons: My pansies start to shine, The weather starts to warm up, My feet start to itch for some travel time, I love the thoughts of "Going Green", and because of St. Patty's Day my heart and mind starts to think of my lost Irish Ancestors.

Which leads me into my inspirational challenge for you today (and maybe the THEME for the whole month)...

"Scrapin' Up a Family Tree!"

Your Challenge for the month is to Scrap a Family Tree and for Today's Challenge we are going to start with "ME!" SO... what I would like you to do is create a page or LO with photos of yourself doing something that you like to do and then journal to your family and Friends what or why you like to do it. This challenge and page is designed to be inspired by you as a memory or heritage page about "YOU!"
Bonus points if you "Go Green" on your page... (choose from the following)

1. "Go Green" by using the color green.
2. "Go Green" by using up some stash.
3. "Go Green" by recycling embellishments or accents.
4. "Go Green" by using limited supplies.

Here is my Sample.... Dancing 'Til Dawn

The Gallery can be found here...52WK20109

..... Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK20109, SBC10Mar,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

52 Week Challenge #8 - 2010

It wouldn't be a February Thursday Challenge if we didn't celebrate a HOLIDAY of some sort... ;) And of course we need a recipe still for the month....:mrgreen: So for today's Challenge we are going to...

SCRAP A STACK!
(Do you prefer a short stack or a tall stack?)

OKay... So let me explain. Today's Challenge is in celebration of International Pancake Day which was last Tuesday. Here is my favorite Pancake Recipe:

Cheesecake Pancakes

1 package (8 oz) cream cheese
2 cups pancake mix (we use bisquick or make my own)
1/2 cup graham cracker crumbs
1/4 cup sugar
1 cup milk
2 eggs

Slice cream cheese lengthwise into four pieces. Place on ungreased cookie sheet; cover and freeze 8 hours or overnight. Next morning, Cut cream cheese into bite-size pieces; set aside. In large bowl, stir Bisquick mix, graham cracker crumbs, sugar, milk and eggs with whisk or fork until blended. Stir in cream cheese. Brush griddle or skillet with vegetable oil, or spray with cooking spray; heat griddle to 375°F or heat skillet over medium heat. For each pancake, pour slightly less than 1/3 cup batter onto hot griddle. Cook until edges are dry. Turn; cook other sides until golden brown.

We love a variety of topping here at our house.... I like Fresh Fruit and whipped cream, Mr. P enjoys Blueberry syrup and fresh blueberries, DH like hot maple syrup & extra butter, Mr. S enjoys his smothered in peanut butter and maple syrup.

SO for the challenge today... I would like you to choose a "Short Stack (2 pancakes)" or a "Tall Stack (3 or more pancakes)". Here are the guide lines of the challenge, based on what you choose...

"Short Stack" - please stack or layer at least two different colors,
"Tall Stack" - please stack or layer at least three different colors
You need to also use brown and white somewhere on your page in honor of the pancake and I challenge you to use one color from your favorite syrup or topping.

You get 52 week Bonus points... if you scrap photos from your International Pancake Day Celebration photos!

Here is my sample: IN HONOR OF THE PANCAKE! - 2010

As you can see I choose a "Tall Stack" and added blueberries (blue) for Mr. P.


The Gallery for this Challenge can be found ---- HERE!
I hope you all enjoy the recipe as much as we do and Please remember to use the keywords: 52WK20108, SBC10Feb,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch
-------------------------------------------

52 Week Challenge #7 - 2010

Good Morning Friends...

I have been so amazed at all the holidays and Inspiration that is around us this week, so I decided that in keeping with the February Holiday theme, we would have an Inspirational Challenge this week entitled...

 A Week of Inspiration

Here is a list of this weeks Holidays...

Sunday: Valentine's Day
Sunday: Chinese New Year
Monday: President's Day (US)
Monday: Family Day (Canada)
Tuesday: Fat Tuesday / Mardi Gras
Tuesday: Mr. P's Birthday (my DS)
Wednesday: Ash Wednesday
Wednesday: Shaun White took Gold (Olympic Snowboarder)
Thursday: Planet Pluto Day (Pluto was discovered)
Thursday: First Queen of England Day ("Mary Queen of Scots Birthday)
Friday: Canadian Olympics Day (marks halfway into the olympics)
Friday: 100 School day (for most schools in the nation)
Saturday: Black History Month
Saturday: American Heart Day or Month

So your challenge today is to pick one or more of these holidays that inspire you and create a page or LO using that inspiration. It may be the the bold red, white and blue of President's day or maybe the richness of all bling from Mardi Gras.... The inspiration is endless!

In my sample page I decided to draw out a little inspiration from several of the holidays. You will find my sample and inspirational details here....

LOST SNOWBIRDS

You can check out the awesome gallery here.... 52WK20107

If you need a inspirational recharge here are a few great websites about the traditions of the holidays listed about...

Chinese New Year

Mardi Gras

Olympic Inspiration

100 days of School  (I thought this activity would make a great Scrapbook page)


Please use the keywords: 52WK20106, SBC10Feb,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #6 - 2010

Good Evening Ladies.... Sorry I am so late in posting this challenge, but I have had a very unexpected, wonderfully, awesome day.

...During the second week of February, my "Red Hat Ladies" Club wears red to help bring about Cancer Awareness. And staying with the holiday theme for the month, I decided that I would entitle this challenge...

"Lovin' a Red SKETCH Valentine"

This is a sketch Challenge using my layout found here... DC - Preference 

...with the added challenge that you can use any two colors that you love, as long as your third color is RED.  Also, You are welcome to use all the accents and embellishment that you desire. I challenge the paper scrappers to use rub-ons and the digi scrappers are challenged to use some new digi stamps. Your bonus is to scrap a photo of your Valentine!

My Sample is the layout above and You can find all submissions for this challenge here: Gallery

Please use the keywords: 52WK20106, SBC10Feb
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #5 - 2010

Wow.... I can't believe it is February already!

Lela has asked if I would be the 52 Week / Thursday challenges again this month and I am so excited because February is one of my Favorite months of the Year. There is so much going on during February.... Different things like Groundhogs Day, Valentine's Day, Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday & the Chinese New Year. When I was teaching school we celebrated with activities for President's Day, Black History Month & World Cancer Day. Plus February is a good month because it is Mr. P's (DS) Birthday month!

So for Today's challenge I thought it would be fun to combine a couple of these celebrations together in a page or LO entitled..... 

"Shadowed Treasures"

This will be a three part color challenge combining "Groundhog Day" & "World Cancer Day" (which is today by the way...) and Your challenge is to create a a page or Layout, based the following:

Part 1. (The Color Part!) ~ If your were a Groundhog who saw your shadow then need scrap with winter colors, for six more weeks of winter, but.... if you were a Groundhog who didn't see your shadow then you need to scrap with Spring Colors.

Part 2. (The Shadow Part) ~ The other part of the Challenge is to use one of the Shadow Stamping Techniques somewhere on your page or Layout. The shadow technique is very simple, First you stamp your image in a lighter color on your card stock then you stamp the same image in a darker coordinating color slightly (about 1/8 ) off the first image to create your main image. This will add depth to your page or LO.

Part 3. (The Treasure Part!) ~ The Bonus part of this challenge is to use photos of Family members who are or were Cancer Survivors.... Even if it was only for a few Days, the memories will last a life time.


As you can see we did not see our shadows here at our house.... It was pouring when we got up. Here is my Sample: MY SISTER - The Survivor!

 


You can find all submissions for this challenge here: Gallery

Please use the keywords: 52WK20105, SBC10Feb,

Also don't forget to add "Shadow Stamping" in the Techniques spot
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

_______________

52 Week Challenge #4 - 2010

Good Morning Everyone...

We have spent a lot of time this month talking about all of our goals, our diets, our budgets and our life challenges. We are coming to the close of our first month and often times this is when we realize that we have fallen short on most of our New Goals and determinations. This is the time when I like to re-group and re-direct my focus. So for our challenge today I have entitled it just that...

"Re-Group ~ Re-Focus ~ Re-Direct"

I know that many of us have those awesome single photo that we just don't quite know what to do with them... My challenge is for everyone choose one of those photo and follow the sketch provided for today's challenge. Your Challenge is to take that photo and use it as your main focus, gathering the ideas, colors and shapes found in that photo and re-grouping and re-directing those ideas into your LO. You can find the sketch at the bottom of this post and also in the gallery.

Please remember that a sketch is only a starting place, so feel free to tweak it to work with your photo. As you can see with my LO, I flipped the sketch because I felt it worked better with my photo. I also pulled some of the colors from my photo out into my LO. The main idea here is to re-focus, re-group & re-direct... AND HAVE FUN AT THE SAME TIME! :mrgreen:



Here is my Example....Beach Job - 2010

Here is the link to the Sketch... 52Wk20104-sketch


You can find all submissions for this challenge here: Gallery

Please use the keywords:    52WK20104,    SBC10Jan,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #3 - 2010

Good Morning All....

"Let's talk the TALK & walk the WALK!"

Since the beginning of the new year we have all heard a lot of hipe and talk about budgets, diets, and keeping things simple so that we have more time for ourselves... So for today's challenge I couldn't resist the urge to design a color combo / recipe challenge that fit in all three categories and I think I did...

Budget - $2.50 per recipe
Diet - 100 calories or less per treat
Simple - 20 minutes start to finish

The Recipe that I chose for Today is a new recipe that I found on Kraft.com. I made them for the Youth Party last night and they were a big hit...


Marshmallow Cherry Kisses

what you need:
1 pkg. (8 oz.) BAKER'S Semi-Sweet Chocolate
16   maraschino cherries with stems
16 JET-PUFFED Marshmallows

To Make It:
MELT chocolate in small saucepan on low heat, stirring occasionally. Place in small bowl; cool slightly. Meanwhile, drain cherries and thoroughly pat dry (I drained mine on paper towels over night).

MAKE indentation in each marshmallow with your finger, then insert 1 of the cherries into the hole, leaving 1/3 of the stem end of the cherry exposed. Using a fork to support the bottom of the marshmallow, dip the marshmallow into the chocolate, turning to evenly coat the cherry. Gently shake off excess chocolate. By doing it like the recipe says, you actually cover the whole cherry. I wanted mine to look like the picture (you know me... follow the picture, don't stop and read the recipe) Anyway, I dipped my marshmallow and placed it on the wax paper and while the choloclate was still wet I pushed the cheery in it... and voila'! They looked just like the picture.

PLACE on wax paper-covered baking sheet; cover. Refrigerate 20 to 30 minutes or until set. Store in airtight container in refrigerator.

Okay... So my scrapping challenge to all of you today is to scrap a page, DPS or LO using the following color combo...

Chocolate (Brown)

Red (Cherries)

White (Marshmallows)

And you get bonus points if you can stay with in the three topic categories...

Budget - $2.50 or less per page
Diets - Low on the embellishments / add exercise photos
Simple - complete page in 20 minutes or less

My example.... How I love You!

You can find all submissions for this challenge here: 52WK20103 Gallery

Please use the keywords: 52WK20103, SBC10Jan,
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

Sale-A-Bration & Hostess Appreciation...

This year I decided to kick-off  SU! Sale-A-Bration  with a Hostess Appreciation night... But since most of my Hostess are all from New England, I decided to have a Virtual Hostess Party. We had a lot of fun, yesterday... I sent them all a package with their supplies and then we all logged on together and made our altered notebooks and talked about our goals and challenges for the up coming year. I gave them my recruiting pitch and invited them all back for another party in the spring... Which I call the SPRING FLING!

Here is what we made...

The directions & details are very simple...
You need:
1- 6 x 11 piece of solid card stock (scored at 3 1/2, 3 3/4 & 7 1/2,)
Cut on the diagonal from top to bottom from the 7 1/2 score to the edge of the paper. You can see it in the picture but remember you are looking at it already folded in and attached with the sticky strip. This becomes the flap or pocket that you slide the back of the notebook into.
1- 5 1/2 x 3 1/4 piece of solid card stock (for the front)
1- 3 x 3 piece of coordinating designer paper (for the front)
1- 2 1/2 x 3 piece of white card stock (stamped with image, for the front)
1- 3 1/4 x 1/1/2 piece of solid card stock (for inside tag)
1 - 1 x 3 piece of white card stock (stamped with message for inside tag)
1 - 1 3/4 punched circle, I used scalloped edge punch (stamped with "Notes" for the front)
24 - inches of ribbon (I wrapped mine from front to back and left extra for tieing)
8 - inches of paper ribbon for front embellishment (I wrapped mine from front to back)
1- prima flower
1- rhinestone brad
3- buttons or other accents & embellishments
1 - 3 1/2 x 5 lined post-it notebook.
Sticky strip tape
glue dots
snail adhesive

 I hope this all makes sense... I wish I could have been able to make a video while I was make these, it would have been easier, but if you have any questions please let me know. I will be glad to help and answer any that you have.

ENJOY!!!!!

It's all about the Goodies.... " SCS: Valentine Swap"

Back in the fall I joined a  "Valentine Goody Swap" and a "Christian Card Swap" on SCS.  Now that I have finished putting my bags together and they are postal, I thought I would give everyone a sneak peek...

"Valentine Goody Swap"  & a mini-card for today's "Limited Supply" Challenge (LSC255)

and the "Christian Card Kit" Swap

52 Week Challenge #2 - 2010

Good Morning All...

In"Case" of Inspiring Friends

I know that many of us have put a lot of focus into ourselves over to past couple of weeks and so I thought this week it would be good the spend some time drawing strength and  inspiration from our friends. A while back I was invited to check out a new thread here at SCS and I found it to be lots of fun! In putting my thoughts together for the challenge today, I went there for some new ideas and this is what I came up with...

My challenge is for everyone is to go play the "Come Play the Scrap Comments Game". Details for the game can be found in post #1. The only catch is that you not only have to comment on the next person in line but you have to choose one page or LO from that person and "Case" or "Scraplift" it.

In following the challenge details I was to comment and case one of Michelle's (fmtinsley) LO's. I chose "Gifts, Games & Dancing"

Here is my Example....

You can find all submissions for this challenge here: 52WK20102 Gallery

Please use the keywords: [B]52WK20102, SBC10Jan, [/B]
-------------------------------------------
Weekly Challenge Line Up:
Monday - Inspiration
Tuesday - Digital
Wednesday - Variety
Thursday/Monthly - Goals
Friday - Sketch

52 Week Challenge #1 - 2010

Good Morning Everyone & Happy New Year!

I am so excited to be the first Hostess for this year's 52 week challenges and I thought we would start the year off with a BANG!!!!!

Over the past two weeks all of us here have been putting a lot of thought and ideas into our goals and plans for the upcoming year and I thought it would be good to kick our scrapping year off with a great "COMBO" challenge.... sort of like our variety challenges.

SO my challenge to you all for this week is to create a Layout, page or DPS using a "COMBO" (at least 4 ) of the things from the list....

1. A Theme or your "Mission Statement"
2. Winter color combination
3. Mixed Embellishments
4. A beginning and an end photo
5. 2010 goals or plans (this would be a combo of today's challenge and Diana's variety challenge from yesterday... found here SBVC107 - Resolutions)
6. 3 different ribbons
7. Stamped Background or Accent pieces
8. Variety of chipboard, Tags or Shapes
9. Photos of you
10. Flowers


My theme for the Year is to "BE A FRIEND IN 2010" which goes along with my personal mission statement and as many of you know includes a whole list of goals, including starting off with myself. Therefore, I thought it only fitting to start the year off with me...  My page is very simple and yet a reflection or renewal for myself, loaded with a variety of things from the challenge list. Also, you will notice the empty frame on my LO, which I plan on placing a photo of me at the end of the year.

My example....

You can find all submissions for this challenge here: 52WK20101 Gallery

Please use the keywords: 52WK20101, SBC10Jan,

It's Party Time!

(For SCS: Mardi Gras Swap)

Goals & Resolutions.....

I have spent the last couple of days really seriously thinking about where I am at in my life course right now.... (pushing 50.. choke, choke... shhhh!) And with the idea of "pulling to the top & dusting stuff off", I have reconsidered where I want to be a year from now...

I am a true Flybaby by heart since 2008... And I love the impact that it has had on my life and my family!

But I "GOT WAY BEHIND" in 2009... and so I am "STARTING AGAIN" in 2010!

I believe that there is truth in what they say about "writing down your goal and putting them visually in front of you..." so with that in mind and knowing that SCS is where I spend a lot of my spare & planning (hehehehe) time. I want to post my upcoming 2010 goals... When setting my yearly goals, I use a combo of SU!'s goal planner, Coveyisms & Flylady's organizational counterparts and I base my goals around my mission statement, which is:

"To Inspire others through my own creativity and desire to make this world a better place... ONE FRIEND AT A TIME!"

SO my goals are very simple and ever serving. Each month I take each goal and break them down into little counterparts on a list to be crossed off when completed... (This method works for me)

Renewal / Self: To Organize myself so that I can be happier in what I do for myself and others by...
1. Renewing my "FlyLady" Lessons
2. Renewing my "Biggest Loser" commitment to lose 50 pounds
3. Renewing my "Testimony in Jesus Christ" by reading the Old Testament
4. Renewing my "commitment to others" by seeking out Random Acts of Kindness
5. Renewing my "budget goals" by increasing my monthly savings by $10.00

Husband / Family: To become more patient and understanding to their needs by...
1. Incorporating "FlyLady" Lessons into Family's daily routine
2. Start making more "Healthy Life" choices in food & snacks
3. To apply the "Teachings of Christ" into our daily lives
4. Continue weekly date night with my hubby
5. Set up a Budget Plan for family vacations & boat buying

Education / work: To strive to be better at what I do to contribute to the ebb & flow of my household by...
1. Continue the studying and writing on my book that I do daily... (going to editors soon)
2. Donate some business time to help "spread the light of Christ" through charitable ways to help others.
3. Study the "Daily Life of Christ" as part of Homeschool
4. Learn the Art of making Cheese
5. Budget and take a Real Estate Class

Stampin' Up! / Annie's Pantry: To make SU! my primary source of income for the upcoming year by....
1. Scrap / Craft / Swap & hang with my friends at SCS
2. Transitioning my SU! business from Hobbyist to Business Career
3. set up and complete at least 12 Catering Events & Vendor shows this year.
4. Serve at the Local Ronald McDonald House
5. Set my sites on the SU! Cruise next year

Service / Religion: To take the time to share my testimony and talents with my neighbors and others who my cross my path by...
1. Sharing my Testimony of Christ with others when prompted by the spirit.
2. Feeding my spirit by attending church regularly
3. Attend the Temple at least three times this year
4. Do Visiting Teaching with 80% or above during the up coming year.
5. Hold at least 1 Quarterly Ward Activity this year


I love having goal seeking friends that strive to live everyday to the fullest with daily gratitude in their hearts. And because of this I share my goals, not to look better than anyone else or to poke fun at any other goals, but mostly to share my thoughts and post my goals visually for me, for many others who have asked "How do you do it?" and for those who might have ideas or SWAKS that will creatively help me stay on track.


For Me.... It's all about "BALANCE" & using MY ASSETS, (yes... that is my "One Word" for 2010!) I look forward to a very "HAPPY NEW YEAR" with all of you

Merry Christmas..... Everyone!

Christmas.... Spring..... Christmas.......Spring?

Our SCS color challenge today was to use the colors.... Mambo Mellon, So Saffron, & Mellow Moss. A threesome of very pretty spring colors! So should I stamp Christmas.... Spring..... Christmas..... Spring? Well, Spring won!

Here is my card...

52 Week Challenge #48 - 2009

"Cut Glass Salad"

Ingredients:

1 (3 ounce) box lime gelatin
1 (3 ounce) box blue gelatin
1 (3 ounce) box orange gelatin
1 (3 ounce) box cherry gelatin
2 (3 ounce) boxes lemon gelatin
Water
1 1/2 single packages graham crackers
1/2 cup (1 stick) margarine
1 cup granulated sugar
1 (20 ounce) can crushed pineapple
1 large cool whip
2 cups Whipped Cream (sweetened 1/4 of the sugar)

Make each box of lime, blue, orange, cherry and 1 box of lemon gelatin according to package directions using 1 1/2 cups boiling water. Pour each flavor into a greased 8-inch square pan and chill in refrigerator until set. Cut into 1/2-inch cubes.

Crush graham crackers and mix with margarine and 1/4 cup sugar. Save 1/2 cup of the graham cracker mixture and set aside. Press remaining graham cracker crumbs into bottom of a cold-cut keeper or 9 x 13-inch baking dish.

Drain juice from crushed pineapple and add water to juice to make 1 cup. Dissolve the other box of lemon gelatin in 1 cup of warm water and add pineapple juice. Chill until almost set, will be chunky when stirred. Stir in pineapple.

Fold together cool whip, whipped cream, lemon pineapple mixture. Next lightly fold in gelatin cubes. Stir easy as to not break up the gelatin cubes. Pour into prepared pan and sprinkle reserved 1/2 cup crumbs on top. Chill in refrigerator until set, at least 2 hours.

"From the Pantry" Challenges..... Nov. 2009

I can't believe it has been a year since we had a "From the Pantry" Crop. I was thinking that this weekend would be a great time to have another round.

SO for Our Challenges today we are going to be saying....

Good-bye to Fall!

To start off with we are going to have a color combo challenge...  Challenge #1- post 178
Next my challenge to you is a Technique Challenge..................... Challenge #2 - post 185
Third is a "Ways to Use It" Challenge involving TAGS................ Challenge #3 - post 189
Fourth Challenge is an Inspirational trip with crafty Terry............. Challenge #4 - post 194
For #5, we "sketched" our way into a Fall Fantasy ..................... Challenge #5 - post 201
Traditional Pantry Format with Recipe included ......................... Challenge #6 - post 204

Keywords are FTPNOV09, 


You can find the gallery at this link.... FTPNOV09

You can find my examples here:
Page LO #1 ...... January Daily 5&6
Page LO #2 ..... Autumn Splendor
Page LO #3 ..... Pumpkins 2009
Page LO #4 ..... Mr. P's Pumkins
Page LO #5 ..... Thanksgiving Dinner 2009
Page LO #6 ..... January Daily 3&4

Card  #1.................. Stamped Fall
Card #2 .................. Smashed Thanks!
Card #3 .................. FTP - Tags
Card #4 .................. Tagged Fall
Card #5 .................. Falling for U
Card #6 .................. Snowy Friends

Prizes will be given in each category!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!